Diary of a benefit claimant.

Just watched the hidden disabilities program. Could have been me saying those things and how I have been treated . I look normal until I move. But before my diagnosis I have had to put up with doctors at hospitals not believing me. Just general doctors not neurologists . A doctor specialising in pain didn't believe me. Even had a nurse shout at me in 1988 when I got rushed into hospital because I was crippled up with pain and couldn't stop my limbs jerking "Stop making a fuss you only have post natal depression." I hadn't but because my son was 8 months she just assumed that's what was wrong with me . Can you image how someone with post natal depression would have felt. I knew someone with it and she had it so bad she wouldn't risk having another child.

Just had yet another phone appointment from the job centre.

That's one every week since being put in the support group.

The person explained that the dwp continue to put "commitments" in my online journal, and that unless I just click on them, then my claim begins to close down.

I was quite angry and ready to make a fuss, but he was nice, and it is obviously "the system" rather than the coaches.

He has clicked on my commitments (which are nothing more than me clicking to acknowledge them) for me.

I wonder if that is that basically a legal thing so that you are declaring that you have not earned any money by working during the previous week.

I can imagine that they might do that to everybody otherwise there could be a scenario of someone having gone back to work months ago and yet still received universal crediit money as if off sick, stood in court accused, and saying he or she "forgot" to tell DWP. So they make actively declaring a requirement so that the person would have no excuse.

I remember that "signing on" as out of work years ago involved making a declaration that, except as stated on the form, I had not worked in the previous fortnight. The "except" was because if, say, someone taught an evening class one evening a week, he or she could still get unemployment benefit for the days when he or she had not worked.

Yes, I suppose it could very well be that.
Last week when they phoned, the coach asked if I was ok, as I sounded really ill.

I told him I am, which is why I was put into the support group!

It is strange, because I've been told a couple of times "Well, that's it - you won't be hearing from us again" by coaches.

The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right is doing.

It sounds like a glitch, to me, but it's not too bad if you now know what to do.

I doubt if it is a glitch as regards them requiring a person to declare each week.

I can well believe it is a glitch as regards the coaches not being trained effectively by DWP management as regards the need to inform a person of the requirement to declare each week.

When I was out of work the system was that if someone didn't turn up or make contact as to why not within some time period the system just sent a P45 to the person by post, dated to the latest day they had signed on, and the claim closed.

That's fine if a person is claiming as a job seeker.

I'm not, though, nor expected to undertake any work related activity.

It has taken me an hour to peg out a tiny bit of washing today, my boy is no longer here as I am not well enough to look after him.

I'm resentful that I am under obligation to answer the phone to the job centre weekly, to explain yet again that I cannot "pop" to the job centre to click something in an online journal.

First world problem, I suppose..

Oh, it is a "pop in" thing is it.

That is a very different matter.

I was thinking it was that you just had to look on your mobile telephone and click there.

Tesco used to have Tesco Direct and I could go online and order shirts. jumpers etc, pay by card number on the website, and they would be delivered by courier the next day - no delivery charge if I spent at least £10 as I have Delivery Saver for my grocery deliveries.

Then they closed it and suggested to "pop in" to your local Tesco to see what they had got.

Those who suggest this "popping in" have no idea have they.



[grin and bear it] Oh that one doesn't work!

Look!

LINK > www.tesco.com/zones/clothing

[pop]

Just seem a newspaper headline you can get £165 from DWP if you snore.

When my PIP got denied my daughter said you need to be dieing or cut of a leg to get it.

Snoring are they kidding. Headlines like this are no wonder people who really need help financially can't get it because DWP will be overwhelmed with any Tom
Dick or Harry who snores. All my grandson's snore and have done since babies. I wake myself up snoring.

?

Well, I have realised on the two essential trips to hospital that my pip money for mobility didn't cover half what I spent.
I had to give in and just get a taxi home, because I was just too exhausted.
Not worth me having a free bus pass because I can't walk across from the stop to the hospital any more.

MissA I am sorry. Does your hospital do hospital transport? I don't drive and when I needed to take my mom for appointments we had hospital transport and when I had jaundice in 2017 I had for me for tests and consultant appointments. I lived in the West Midlands then. Now live in the north west but can manage to get to the hospital via taxi and can get to the bus stop for my journey home as the bus stops by my home.

I go to two different hospitals.
They both do transport, I'm sure, but I didn't qualify.
I am going to find out now though.

I used the volunteer driver scheme last time, but they wait for two hours, and I was far too long.

So I ended up paying the poor man as if I was having a return journey, then £28 for a cab!

MissA this probably won't help you get to the hospital but would a 4 wheeled mobility scooter or electric wheelchair help you in your day to day life? I know both are big steps but if you can use them they would help you and make life easier for you plus give you some freedom. Also because of all your health problems you should get them for free. Have you been assessed by the falls unit and occupational therapy departments they they can both supply you with equipment to help with your day to day life. Community nurses are very good with suggests and equipment to help you. Is there a charity for your condition as they could help as well.

I learnt the hard way never be to proud to ask for help.

I have been thinking about a walker type thing.
I think it would be enough if I could stop and rest every few minutes (standing, because I'd never get up if I had one with a seat)

There is also nowhere at all to put a scooter here; no garden, no shed.
Plus I really want to be able to practice walking but feel safe.
I have only fallen into my wardrobe so far, but I'm nervous of falling because I can feel I'm doddery.

It's as if I'm living a nightmare, suddenly.

I'm having trouble coming to terms with it, really.

Good morning. I understand your feelings of vulnerability. Would weekly physiotherapy maybe help you regain some strength and confidence?

MissA you could get a wheeled walker with a brake and a seat. Seen a lot of people with those. They have a bag for shopping . I fell into a privet hedge Wednesday last week on my way to the bus stop . Luckily it was very thick and stayed upright. Thursday nearly walked into a metal barrier. My balance has been off for the last 2 weeks and have to concentrate on walking in a straight line but still I veered off hence ending up in the hedge and nearly into the barrier . Dropping more things yesterday it was my backpack with my fruit in good job it wasn't eggs.

But get in touch with the departments I mentioned they will supply you with the type of walker you want plus other things to help you. Falls unit will assess what you need in your home to help you from handrails ,bar to help you in and out of bed etc.

Yes, I think perhaps it would.
Why didn't I think of that?

I wonder what the chances are of asking if i might be able to have it?

Then sometimes I'm too tired to even get up out of my bed - I'm sure that wouldn't be ideal... but!!!!
I was the activity coordinator in a care home, and i put together a little chairobics routine.
It was only 3 years ago. I should at least work out something to try myself.

It is hard to come to terms with being unable to do normal things. I was 29 when my symptoms got worse and have used a stick since then . Our children where 4 and 6 months because my walking was so bad to go out as a family went in a wheelchair. Didn't realise how dangerous it was for wheelchair users. In 1988 people still smoked everywhere I nearly got burnt a few times. Plus you become invisible. People talked to my husband even asking him if I needed anything. He went mad and said ask my wife . He had wheelchair rage anyone cut in from of me he went for them . Did tell him I didn't want anyone on my lap. It's because of my wonderful husband I do what I do. He said we alter our life to suit what you can do. Our children had a normal life but grew up understanding people have health and mobility problems and my grandson's are growing up the same. Which hasn't done them any harm .

Unfortunately there is still in this day and age discrimination against people with any form of disability physical or mental. Those of us with problems either ourselves or family members see it daily.

It's the 21st century we live in a first world country and still it goes on.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I'm embarrassed.
I don't even look human most days!

There is a shop about ten mins walk away, and if I could rest, I reckon I could get there.
I doubt I could get a bag full of shopping, but if I could make it there it would be something, and I know I need to keep mobile as much as i can.

I have a gp appointment next week, so i will ask about a walker, i think.
I'm not his favourite person because i have kept telling him i don't feel well for the last two years.

I'm a bit afraid of him now. I can just sense his eyes rolling and hear the gentle sighs...

Hi, you could phone the surgery and ask for an appointment with the nurse, and ask him/ her about your mobility issues and potential aids. She might still need to refer you to gp but you'd be more confident if you met him knowing what was more feasible.

Ps most days I can only walk for 10 mins so I need to turn back after 5 otherwise could get stuck. It's rubbish, but I am telling myself I will improve. Lucky I can still drive 5 mins to shop.

I'm too scared!!
I think they all hate me!
I'll put it on the old "to-do" list.

My legs just decide they've had enough and fold up after a few steps.
They don't care where we are "Nope! That's quite enough steps for one day, so we're having a rest!"